To clarify, we're talking 'sick' as in 'rad', 'rad' as in 'phat'... but you knew that. Yes, the La Massana course may peak at just 1895m, but today no one was safe from the sickness in the mountains... Once early morning mists from overnight rain burned away, the Catalan sun brought things up to a boil and the riding got real hot, real quick. The push to get lines dialled and commitment levels up to race speed was on, but a greasy film of moisture made the roots and bedrock extra treacherous on a course where perfect brake control is paramount. Well, let's say even more 'paramount' than usual, evidenced by big names still getting separated from their bikes by the time qualies came around.

One fine day on the hill culminated with a very interesting qualifying session that saw Luca Shaw take the number one spot by 2.5 seconds in the elite men, making it a hat-trick of top qualies for 2018. Hart rode to 2nd, just 0.003 ahead of Greenland, with MacDonald and Val Di Sole's turn-up, Thomas Estaque, close behind. Did Pierron go easy? Did last year's champ, Brosnan? Just two of so many questions. Further questions remain also in the junior men's category, as Henry Kerr roared to surprise victory ahead of Thibaut Daprela and Kade Edwards, while usual suspect, Kye A'Hern, almost failed to qualify. The women's categories seem a little less mysterious perhaps, as Vali Holl took 23 seconds out of her peers and Rachel Atherton one of the biggest margins in elite women's qualifying - 12.7 seconds ahead of Tracey Hannah. Still, let's not go forgetting, the real race goes down tomorrow.

A moment to collect your thoughts before 5 minutes of brutal physical and mental games with the La Massana track. EWS champ Cecile Ravanel back in the start gate of a World Cup Downhill.

Mark Wallace has been steadily climbing the ranks this season, but today was one to forget, crashing and missing the 60th place cut-off. Luckily as a protected rider, it's no biggy.

After a third in Leogang and a second last week in Val di Sole, Henry Kerr has been on a role in the junior men's category. This week he would qualify first ahead of series leader Thibaut Daprella by over 2 seconds.

By the seat of his pants... While often standing on or near the tip top of the junior podium, Kye A'Hern just made the last spot for the finals today in 15th.

Tahnee Seagrave getting locked and loaded for her first practice run this morning.

Connor Fearon is in a whole gaggle of riders separated by a handful of seconds just outside the top 10.

Joe Smith hooking through the loose bike park berms in the open, he rounded off the day in 15th.

Number 2 in the series on a final spot check before qualie runs.

A huge crash in qualifying for Loic Bruni had him finishing second to last today. He has always done well here in Andorra and if he can regroup in time for tomorrow's race you can bet he will be a threat once again.

There's time on the table for Remi Thirion tomorrow with some slower top splits. He'll be wanting to slot into the top 10 or even higher.

Matt Walker certainly isn't finding the jump to elites to be out of his depth and ended up inside the top 10.

Iles slipped into the top 20 this afternoon, but his form on track suggests bigger things could be on the way.

3rd in junior women for Mille Johnset, but a long long way behind Vali Holl.

Tracey Hannah is looking on pace, today pipping Seagrave by less than a second. Of course, both have ways to go to fill the void up to Atherton for the final.

Laurie Greenland snuck into 3rd spot just 0.06 of a second behind Danny Hart. If the time gaps between the top 5 are any indication, tomorrow's final is going to be a close one.

Some last minute line advice from Polygon UR team owner Fabien Cousinie to Tracey Hannah.

Troy Brosnan always goes well here in Andorra, to say the least. Higher splits and a 7th place qualie show he could go the distance here again.

Magnus Manson emerging from the shadows and entering the final plunge towards the line.

On the gas again was Sam Blenkinsop who would finish just over 5 seconds back to take 8th on the day.

Look closer... Benoit Coulanges was only 3 seconds off qualifying despite riding half the track on the rim. He was 11th and 14th at the previous splits. Gutted.

Hanging roots on the inside of an eroded turn get chipped away to allow a little more lean and little less chance of grabbing a brake before elite men.

Pierron looked cool, calm and collected down through the steep 'Thirion' chutes during qualies.

Amaury Pierron watches as rider after rider knocks his qualifying time down a spot, eventually settling 4.5 seconds back in 6th. With all the pressure on his shoulders to deliver tomorrow for Commencal in their hometown, it's not going to be easy for the young WC series leader.

Brook MacDonald slapping berms with authority en route to 4th in qualifying just one spot behind his teammate Laurie Greenland.

Gee Atherton finished just outside the top 10 for qualies, could this be the race he finally slips back in?

Adam Brayton had a big off in practice and had to race qualifying with five fresh stitches in the tip of his middle finger. The medics tried to put in six, but he insisted that would make it too hard to hold onto the bars. Either way, it worked, and he made it down in 32nd.

Danny Hart has the bit between his teeth at the moment and will be hungry to take his first win on Saracen, although he has a few seconds to find in the morning if he's to threaten the time of Shaw.

Luca Shaw was first at every split, and by 2.5 seconds qualified first for the third time this year. Will this be the weekend where he finally puts it all together and takes his first World Cup win?

Utter domination. Rachel Atherton was in her own class today... Can anyone get close to her tomorrow?

I just learned that Vali Holl signed a 6 year contract with YT when she was ELEVEN! That's some YT for sure! That means it may be up for renewal in 2019. It would be awesome if YT had an Elite woman on the Mob.

That panning shot of Hart shows what a beating the camera's bringing us these great pics go through... high aperture to lower shutter speed really shows the grit inside the mirror box. Thanks Nathan for breaking your gear to bring us these pics!

I've been running right hand rear ever since I switched from coaster brakes First real bike was a proper race BMX & that was just the way they were (a bit of dominant hand probably played a part even if I didn't realize at the time) but one factor is that often it is better for cable routing. Often with cable brakes the rear is routed down the left side of the frame meaning that the cable has a gentler curve & hence less friction/resistance if the lever is on the right. Also biggest markets for a lot of bikes is US & Europe where driving is on the right (think about hand signals when riding on the road, which cyclists are meant to do (but we don't ) and right hand rear makes sense with most frame designs).

I'm fairly seasoned with a full frame camera,so why is that last shot of Rachael so grainy with terrible bokeh at ISO 800? It's a $6000 Canon! Compared to the Nathan's amazing D5 shots what a difference.

I'd say it's either a crop, hence more visible noise, or the picture was much darker and lifted in post. ?? That being said, noise isn't necessarily a bad thing and can give some texture. I like the last photo.

Sorry for my incompetence @thedendist, will try harder next time... @polarproton is on the money, crop to remove another photographer's lens that swung into my shot and super patchy light so exposing for the light pockets which the best frame and position ended up outside of.